The SJ Range is our latest development in all-weather jackets. Designed to give you the perfect outer shell whatever conditions you're facing throughout the year. All four jackets in the range benefit from our high tech Paratex Micro outer and Paratex Light inner, keeping any moisture away from your skin, so you stay warm, comfortable and dry. And our Softie Premier filling has excellent insulating properties, trapping heat and maximising comfort.

The new design is tailored to fit the contours of your body, with a water-resistant main zip, and a high neck design that keeps out the draughts. The Softie® Jacket 3 features a roll-away hood for unexpected showers and also keeps you comfortable down to 0°c. It comes in Silver, Red, Blue colourway plus our traditional Olive, Military Black (Clear Logo) and Multicam camouflage colours.

Available from sizes: XS - XXL at £109.95

Water-resistant main zip for greater insulation and dryness

Featuring a roll-away hood

Sleek, concealed side pockets

Lightweight

Stuff sack included

Made in the UK. Support UK manufacturing and enjoy superior British quality

Adjustable neck

Adjustable Waist

Two-way zip

The left chest inside pocket with a zip

Water resistant main zip

Thumb loops

Elasticated cuffs

Front logo & small back logo

YKK zips

Snugpak branded zip tassels

Shaped fit

Unisex design

On Review

In my latest review with Snugpak I take the SJ3 jacket out in Autumn which is past its suited seasons as advertised by Snugpak. This jacket is designed for Spring and Summer rather than the colder months of Autumn or even what we would experience on the lower levels when wild camping on the mountains currently. For the review I was using a blue, large SJ3 and at 6ft 2 I found I had plenty of length on the body and arms.

Although passed its advertised seasons for use, the conditions have been from -5 to 0 degrees in the wet or mountain tops with gusting winds on top and I have been very warm and comfortable wearing the SJ3. In fact, at times I’ve been to hot especially when climbing up the mountains in the first instances as my recent trip to North Wales. Climbing up Y Garn, Miners track and around Dinorwic quarry in all cases I started with the jacket on but half way up the climb I would have to take the jacket off. It would only be when we stopped for a break would I want it back on for wind protection.

It’s very lightweight and compact. One of my favourite items from Snugpak is the ML6 smock which I am looking forward to digging back out again for Winter but the ML6 is very bulky and takes up a lot of space. The SJ range, certainly the SJ3 is smaller and better suited for long distance hiking and climbs with its stuff sac and light, fitted designer. Weighing in at 580g it’s a great down jacket and in Spring and Summer I can see it being useful for night times if not a great pillow in the stuff sac.

When the temperatures dropped below -5 while at llyn Caseg-Fraith in North Wales the combination of the Snugpak Impact Fleece with the SJ3 was the perfect combo.Wearing a pair of gloves, beanie hat and buff just to cover the extremities I was again very warm and had no issues staying out in the wind. On the neck and waist, the jacket can be adjusted to fit closer and give further protection, I didn’t use the waist adjustments but certainly the neck which was easy to use with a pull cord on the back. The neck has a good height and provides plenty of protection. The main zipper I had no issues with using in cold or wet conditions either or whilst wearing gloves.

Now the SJ3 jacket comes with a hood built in which is compact and rolls away. I just kept the hood rolled away in the neck. Personally, I didn’t get on with this and found it a little flimsy and in strong winds found it blew off easily even after tying off the cinch points. On its own I wouldn’t rely on the hood but using the hood with a beanie hat or something to keep it tight on your head will dramatically reduce wind chill on the neck.

Working down the jacket, the sleek design features two padded pockets both with YKK zippers to protect the contents inside. When you don’t have a rucksack on and a hip belt covering the pockets, they are very warm and provide plenty of protection. One of my zippers did loss the branded zip tassel but this does nothing to the pocket itself just one less branded item on the jacket. On the inside of the jacket is a larger chest pocket which can fit a small tablet, OS map or what I typically used it for was my phone and the stuff sac when not in use to keep it in a safe protected area when needed. Even when filled with a phone or map this pocket doesn’t feel one sided as there is no counter sided pocket to balance out the two sides.

The cuffs of the jacket are great and have a double tie off both of which are elasticated to give plenty of stretch when needed. One lower down on the wrist and around the thumb loops which have a good size and give for larger gloves which can be used under the thumb loops. With gloves on the loops don’t feel tight or feel like they are pulling in to the hand. A comfortable loose fit to allow movement when needed.

Between the jacket, a fleece and gloves you will be very warm and protected from the elements.

I found the jacket wasn’t just for cold and dry weather. On a number of occasions, I have kept the SJ3 on with rain and fog and remained dry underneath thanks to the sleek, weatherproof design. While walking I could see the water just running off the jacket and much like the ML6 smock, padding the jacket down helped keep the worst of the water off.Although the jacket features YKK zippers across the body and provides protection and keeps you dry. I wouldn’t use this in heavy or prolonged rain and as for snow. I’m sure it will be suitable but moving up to the SJ6 or SJ9 would be better suited to keep the cold out.

The Softie Jacket 3 is a good design, offering a sleek, fitted design for both men and women in this unisex style. The jacket is lightweight but doesn’t compromise on protection. I found I was very comfortable down to temperatures of -5 and when it was a little too much the combination of a fleece and the SJ3 was a perfect combination.I did find the hood was the only poor point on the jacket and found on its own was a little unreliable but used with a beanie or buff over the top to keep it down kept the wind off my neck. The SJ3 is the perfect companion for longer hikes and climbing given it’s lightweight and compact design. When packed in to the stuff sac it made a great pillow and took up little space in the rucksack.

In early 2019 we saw snow across the UK. Wild camping and hiking in the snow can be hard work but also hot work. It’s easy to get to cold but equally very hot. The Snugpak SJ3 has proved very reliable for when walking up and down mountains in the snow, accompanied with the Snugpak Impact Fleece and when it proved particularly cold when stood still the SJ3 made a good mid layer below the Snugpak ML6 smock.

As I mentioned above, the SJ3 doubled up as a great pillow and tucked inside my sleeping bag, I was very warm, comfortable and had a solid nights sleep from 8pm right through to 7am the following morning with heavy snow inside the Snugpak Ionosphere. Thicker Snugpak Jackets might had been better such as the SJ6 or even SJ9 but I wouldn’t want to layer with other items using these thicker jackets to avoid over heating and sweating which can freeze in the sub-zero conditions.

Transparency Notice: Please note that I am a Snugpak brand ambassador and receive the products for free to review from Snugpak. The review is no guarantee of endorsement. I receive no monetary gain from Snugpak from the reviews.

Hello, my name is Matt Holland (b. 1992). I'm a Berkshire based creative designer, digital media specialist and outdoor enthusiast. I have always been interested in photography starting off with film and darkrooms, this interest is what started my path in design and later studying at Bath Spa University (BA Hons Creative Arts and Visual Design). I have collaborated with brands such as HTC, O2 Academy, Heineken, Bulmers, National Trust and Channel 4 and my work has been featured in: Adobe Photoshop (PS25under25), Computer Arts, DesignCrowd, Talenthouse, Amateur Photographer, BBC Weather, VisitWales, Countryfile, OlympusUK, GoOutdoors, The Great Outdoors Magazine, The Rucksack Magazine, National Trust, Royal Horticultural Society, International Garden Photographer of the Year and The Photography Show UK.

Hello, my name is Matt Holland (b. 1992). I'm a Berkshire based creative designer, digital media specialist and outdoor enthusiast. I have always been interested in photography starting off with film and darkrooms, this interest is what started my path in design and later studying at Bath Spa University (BA Hons Creative Arts and Visual Design). I have collaborated with brands such as HTC, O2 Academy, Heineken, Bulmers, National Trust and Channel 4 and my work has been featured in: Adobe Photoshop (PS25under25), Computer Arts, DesignCrowd, Talenthouse, Amateur Photographer, BBC Weather, VisitWales, Countryfile, OlympusUK, GoOutdoors, The Great Outdoors Magazine, The Rucksack Magazine, National Trust, Royal Horticultural Society, International Garden Photographer of the Year and The Photography Show UK.